Fred Oldfield, Famed Cowboy Painter, Dies At 98

PUYALLUP, WA - The family of Fred Oldfield has announced that the famous local painter and Puyallup resident died Friday at the age of 98. He had been hospitalized recently for flu-like symptoms.

His family wrote an memoriam for him on Facebook:

“Cowboy Fred”, as the world knows him, has left us to start his next painting adventure. I just know he’s dancing with my beautiful Mother and celebrating with all those he has loved and lost over his almost 99 years! There are no words ~ just no words, to express the loss of the most amazing Daddy, Grandfather, Husband, Friend, Artist and “Gramps to hundreds of children”.

"I am filled with gratitude for the Blessing of so many years, days, hours and moments filled with extraordinary memories. There was nothing normal or ordinary about being the daughter of Fred Oldfield and why I was the lucky one to have had that privilege I will never know, but I have thanked God thousands of times! I know you all have wonderful memories and many funny stories of your own ~ Daddy was like that ~ he touched so many lives.

"So please take those memories and hold them close, share them, treasure them and may they give you comfort and joy. Our family wants to say a heartfelt thank you to all of you who have been with us on this journey ~ some of you for years and some of you for only days. We know his impact was mighty! So, thank you for the love, cards, calls and prayers.

"Fred’s 99th Birthday Celebration Breakfast will go on as planned, nothing was more important to him than a place for the kids to learn about art and the old west. A memorial will be planned for late spring. Please know we will continue to Celebrate Daddy for years to come. Keep an eye on the sky dear Friends, I know Daddy will be sending us some gorgeous breathtaking scenes very soon. My heart is filled with love and gratitude for you!! If you want to enjoy a laugh again go to Eric Johnson's Eric's Hero's : http://komonews.com/news/erics-heroes/erics-heroes-cowboy-artist

Image via Fred Oldfield Western Heritage & Art Center